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Andy Haden

Former All Black, rugby commentator and businessman.

Andy Haden was a leading figure in organising the 1986 Cavaliers tour. Haden also continues to play, being the driving force behind the “Classic All Blacks” who won the World Rugby Classic tournament in Bermuda for four years running. He also manages a very successful celebrity management service.

Haden was born in 1950 in Wanganui, played senior rugby for Massey University in 1970, moved to Auckland the following year and made his first class debut for Auckland against Waikato. In 1972 he toured Australia with the New Zealand Juniors. He was selected for the All Black tour of Britain and France, where he played in 16 matches, but never challenged for a test position. At a training session during the tour he was involved in a humorous incident when he kicked a ball into a cross-bar and snapped it!

Haden was selected for the All Black’s internal tour in 1973, and represented the North Island. After spending a season in France he returned to New Zealand and in 1976 an outstanding domestic season was rewarded with selection for the All Black Tour of Argentina, where he played both “tests”. The Rugby Almanac named him one if it’s five players of the year.

In 1977 as successor to a retired Peter Whiting, Haden made his test debut in the first test against the British Lions at Carisbrook. He toured with Grand Slam All Blacks to Great Britain in 1978, to Australia and Scotland and England in 1979, as well as playing home tests against France. He toured Australia and Fiji and Wales in 1980. He appeared in home tests against South Africa in 1981, Australia in 1982 and the British Lions in 1983, and overseas against Romania and France in 1981 and Australia 1983. He was unavailable for the 1983 tour of Scotland and England because he was promoting the first of his two books “Boots ‘n All!”.

In 1984 he played the home series against France and toured Fiji, as well as captaining the outstanding Auckland team on a world tour and at home. The following season he made his third successful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield, this time against Canterbury.

His international career ended on his second tour of Argentina where he played both tests. In 1986 he completed the season making the last of his 327 first class appearances (only Colin Meads has played more), which included 157 for Auckland.

Andy lives in Auckland with his wife Trecha and their two children Christoper and Laura. His other interests include tennis, golf and trout fishing. He has written 2 books, 1983 autobiography “Boots ‘n All” (47,000 copies) and 1987 “Lock Stock ’n Barrel” (25,000 copies).

In 1982 Andy established Sporting Contacts Limited, handling the marketing and promotions of many of New Zealand’s best know sportsmen and organising events, run public relations and advertising campaigns and devised numerous company promotions.